Becca Fletcher Impello could possibly be defined by one word: flexibility.

The 1999 graduate of the Department of Physical Therapy’s master’s program originally chose PT because it offered more flexibility than most medical professions. She began practicing and teaching yoga during PT school. Her dedication to fitness has been the basis for a steady integration of the two disciplines where she uses yoga techniques to promote healing."

The in depth knowledge that PT has given me about human anatomy and kinesiology, as well as the mechanisms of injury and rehabilitation has been invaluable in my career,” said Impello, a Birmingham native and resident. “Many of my yoga clients are reassured by the combination and feel safer learning yoga from someone with a medical background; while many of my therapy clients see the lifelong benefit of yoga for improved health and wellbeing.”

Her practice, SOS Yoga with Becca Impello (www.sosyoga.com), offers what she calls “an emerging complementary and alternative health care option,” that has evolved to include more breath and body awareness. It also incorporates flexible and therapeutic modifications of yoga poses.

Impello has developed and taught several professional continuing education courses for PTs, OTs, and yoga teachers. This summer she is hosting several low back yoga therapeutic workshops for the Birmingham community. She will offer Introduction to Yoga Therapy: Understanding the Healing Potential of Yoga around Alabama in August and September.

She credits UAB with providing a foundation for growth.

“The faculty within UAB’s PT program does a great job of preparing you to view the patient as a whole person and to be open to different paths of healing for different situations. There is no clear cut treatment protocol for any individual; leading each patient toward health is a unique and enlightening learning experience,” said Impello. “The faculty also helped me realize that learning necessarily continues throughout your career.”

Impello, along with five other manual and movement therapists, opened Embody Practice Center (www.EmbodyBirmingham.com) in January 2013. It is a healing center that provides an individual treatment approach that is flexible based on the experience and collaboration of the founding members. They also offer group classes in yoga, tai chi, meditation and more.

Her advice for incoming PT students is simple, and what you would expect.

“Take up yoga,” said Impello. “It will help with the stresses of a challenging and rigorous academic program and compliment your understanding of the human body.”